What I Learned After 2 Years At Google

As I celebrate my 2nd Googleversary as a Communications Associate in the APAC Marketing team 🎉, I thought, what better way to mark this milestone than by reflecting on my journey and sharing my 5 biggest insights with you. Whether you're a student gearing up for your own career path or just starting out, I hope these insights positively impact you.

Read the article below or watch the video here 📽️, and don't hesitate to leave a comment or send me a DM to share your thoughts and continue the conversation!

1. Embrace the Pre-Work Hustle

Starting my first job was a great wake-up call. Suddenly, all the free time I had in university seemed like a golden age of exploration I hadn't fully maximized. Between new work responsibilities and the daily grind, I found myself with less energy and time for the personal adventures I craved. For example, I'm currently learning French on Duolingo, working towards getting my driver's license, and just got introduced to new sports like snowboarding, which is great. However, truth be told, I wish I'd seized these opportunities earlier, back when I had more freedom to explore. This experience made me realize the importance of taking advantage of university's flexibility.

It's the perfect time to:

• Learn New Skills: Experiment with new hobbies or delve into areas like coding (boost your resume and open doors to exciting tech careers!), public speaking (improve your communication skills and become a confident presenter), or finance (gain valuable knowledge for personal budgeting and future investments).
• Expand Your Horizons: Travel, backpack, or immerse yourself in different cultures to broaden your perspective and develop a deeper understanding of the world.
• Take Initiative: Consider starting a side gig or freelance work to gain practical experience and build your professional network, launching a YouTube channel to explore your creativity and connect with a like-minded audience, or exploring entrepreneurial opportunities to tap into your inner business genius.

Stepping beyond your comfort zone not only strengthens you but also uncovers unexpected opportunities, can help you forge stronger connections with colleagues, especially those abroad, and perhaps even kickstart another income stream.

2. Nurture a Growth Mindset and Overcome Imposter Syndrome

The leap from student/intern to full-time employee is a big one. It's a new lifestyle, more responsibility, and navigating a fresh role. For me, this meant transitioning from marketing to communications, a shift that brought its own learning curve. Initially, crafting communication pieces and presentations required multiple revisions. But through practice, dedication, and the invaluable support of my manager and colleagues, I significantly improved.

And we've all been there – that nagging feeling of inadequacy despite your accomplishments. It's called imposter syndrome, and it can strike even the most confident individuals. But the key isn't to ignore these doubts; it's to embrace a growth mindset!

Here's how:

• Own Your Strengths: Acknowledge your skills and past successes. This builds confidence and reminds you of what you bring to the table.
• Celebrate Every Win (Big or Small): Don't downplay your achievements! Taking the time to recognize your progress is crucial.
• Learn from Setbacks: View mistakes as stepping stones. Analyze what went wrong and use that knowledge to grow.

Remember: Everyone makes mistakes. The key is to learn from them and keep striving for improvement. With a growth mindset, you can conquer any obstacle and overcome self-doubt. So, embrace challenges, learn from your errors, and keep honing your skills. This growth mindset empowers you to conquer any obstacle and surpass any self-imposed limitations.

3. Finding Your Fit: Be Yourself, Trust the Process.

Finding the right job isn't just about career growth; it's about finding a perfect fit where you can truly thrive and be yourself.

There have been many interviews where I felt nervous and stressed—I felt like I had to put on an act. I would try to say the right things, portray the personality I thought they wanted, and scramble to improve my capabilities at the last minute. However, during my interviews with Google, I discovered that I could genuinely be myself. I could laugh, be honest, and let my natural self shine through. This authenticity ultimately led to a perfect fit.

From this experience, I learned the importance of being true to yourself, trusting the process, and finding the right fit rather than forcing it. While there may be rejections along the way, they are all part of the journey! Don't settle for a role that stifles who you are. Seek a team where you can be you, contribute meaningfully, and build genuine connections.

4. People Skills: The Superpower of Learning, Success, and Happiness.

In today's collaborative work environment, strong people skills are no longer a "nice to have" – they're a hidden superpower fueling your learning, success and happiness. Here's what I mean by that:

• Level Up Your Learning: Some of my most valuable insights didn't come from textbooks or work; they arose from (sometimes unexpected) conversations with other Googlers! Whether it's a colleague sharing a brilliant idea, receiving feedback, or gaining generous life advice from someone in a different department, you can learn so much by asking questions and actively listening with an open mind. So my advice to you is to tap upon others' diverse backgrounds and experiences—you'd be surprised by the gems you discover in a casual chat. I know I certainly was.
• Achieve greater Success: I've realized that a big part of my day, beyond core work responsibilities, involves meetings and emails, where we discuss plans and iron out details to make projects happen. Strong communication skills ensure everyone's on the same page, and collaboration accelerates projects forward. To stand out, you need to be able to communicate effectively, work cohesively, and navigate group dynamics.
• Boost your Happiness at work: Let's face it, a significant portion of your life is spent at work. So, why not make it enjoyable? Effective communication, relationship-building, and collaboration create a positive work environment, ultimately leading to a happier work life. Ideally, these connections can blossom into genuine friendships that extend beyond office hours. Feeling like you belong to a supportive team fosters a sense of purpose and motivation, and can even boost productivity. I've found that when my teammates enjoy each other's company, communication flows more easily, teamwork becomes more effective, and problem-solving feels collaborative. So, take the initiative to get to know your colleagues. The more you connect with your colleagues on a personal level, the more enjoyable your workday becomes.

Ultimately, while technical qualifications are important, your ability to communicate effectively, build connections, collaborate with colleagues, and foster a positive work environment are what truly set you apart and contribute to a happier, more fulfilling professional life.

5. Make Time For What Matters: Work Life Balance

Starting work showed me how it affects everything in life. Choosing what's most important becomes crucial as we go through different stages. When we don't match our actions with what matters most, things can feel out of whack.

In my first year, I forgot to take care of myself, hang out with friends, and keep my place tidy. I wasn't eating or sleeping well, and I hardly had time for my hobbies, like making videos.

It became clear that for long-term balance, we need to decide what's important and plan our time. Don't forget to take breaks and use your vacation days wisely—they're not just for fun but really important for keeping things steady. Setting limits is also vital. Remember to switch off after work and make time for what truly matters outside of work.

These insights barely scratch the surface of what I've learned at Google, and I'm eager to share more with all of you as I continue on my career journey. I'm grateful for the opportunities and growth I've experienced. 😊 Please share your thoughts on the article, and feel free to leave a comment with any questions or topics you'd like me to explore further. Here's to continued learning and success on our shared career paths! 🚀